We waste so much energy trying to maintain and reinforce our sense of our social selves, who we are in the world.

John Kabat Zinn in his book Wherever You Go There You Are writes, "This 'I' tends to feel good when outside circumstances are supporting its belief in its own goodness, and bad when it runs into criticism, difficulties, and what it perceives as obstacles and defeats. Here perhaps lies a major explanation for diminished self-esteem in many people. We aren't really familiar with this constructed aspect of our identity process. This makes it easy to lose our balance and feel vulnerable and inconsequential when we are not propped up and reinforced in our need for approval or for feeling important."

He suggests giving yourself permission to "take a day off, to stop trying so hard to be a 'somebody.'" He suggests beginning by "taking things a little less personally."

Today, know that you are not creating and maintaining your own sense of identity - reinforced or discouraged by outside feedback. Instead, Love creates and maintains your identity - through its own energy and power. You don't have to try so hard.

Elizabeth Gilbert in her book on creativity Big Magic tells a story of young man, a talented writer she loved in her youth, who would not write because his written words fell short of his ideals:

"He said, 'I'd rather be a beautiful failure than a deficient success.'

Hell, I wouldn't.

The image of the tragic artist who lays down his tools rather than fall short of his impeccable ideas holds no romance for me. I don't see this path as heroic. I think's it's far more honorable to stay in the game - even if you're objectively failing at the game - than to excuse yourself from participation because of your delicate sensibilities. But in order to stay in the game, you must let go of your fantasy of perfection.

So let's talk for a moment about perfection.

The great American novelist Robert Stone once joked that he possessed the two worst qualities imaginable in a writer: He was lazy, and he was a perfectionist. Indeed, those are the essential ingredients for torpor and misery right there. If you want to live a contented creative life, you do not want to cultivate either one of those traits, trust me. What you want to cultivate is quite the opposite: You must learn how to become a deeply disciplined half-ass."

Love is not just a feeling; Love is a divine power and presence. Right this moment, Love actively comforts the grieving. Love embraces the fearful. Love promotes intelligent thinking. Love reveals dishonesty or ignorance. Love guides and illuminates. Love softens the sharp edges of our pain. Love enforces rest and stillness. Love strengthens our resolve. Love gives courage and energy. Love heals. Love reawakens hope and confidence. Today, if you are touched by weariness or despair, if your mind is muddled by worries or by distractions, pause. Feel the presence of Love which is with you, touching all that concerns you.

Today, spend less time worrying about all the ways in which you are not meeting expectations--your own, other people's, society's--and more time accepting that Love is pleased with you.

Love made you--and Love made you to delight Herself. Consciously savor divine approval and let Love reveal to you the ways in which you are beautiful and smart and funny and brave and effective and necessary. To accept this new view takes deep humility. In this process, many of the elements in your character that are not serving you will effortlessly fall away.

In her book on creativity Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert writes, "My entire life has been shaped by an early decision to reject the cult of artistic martyrdom and instead place my trust in the crazy notion that my work loves me as much as I love it - that it wants to play with me as much as I want to play with it - and that this source of love and play is boundless."

Love gives as our work--whatever it is--as a gift, not as punishment or a test of our obedience or endurance. Love wants us to have joy in our work - and a sense of calm, peace, and meaning. Today, feel the immense, vibrating, effective power and presence of Love in your commitments. This approach is far more effective than working with grim obligation and mere human effort.

Trust that Love has been and is present in the shape of your life.Trust that Love will reveal, unmistakably clearly, if you need to make a change. Love has created you to be able to recognize and follow Love's messages.Trust that your gifts are necessary and valuable.Trust that you don't need to overhaul yourself in order to be of value.

The King James version of Is 48:17 says, "I am the Lord that teacheth thee to profit." A modern translation says, "I teach you what is best for you."

Trust that Love is making your actions profitable - of use to yourself and others and a source of supply. Trust that Love teaches you how to care for yourself and others in a way that is healthy and effective.

Today, treat yourself with kindness, with the following steps:1. Accept gifts. Graciously and gratefully accept presents, compliments, offers of help, and large and small kindnesses.2. Treat your emotions gently. The Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to speak soothingly, as loving mother, to our difficult feelings. "Don't worry my little anger, I will take care of you." "Don't worry my little loneliness, I will take care of you."3. Fulfill your obligations without making a fuss about it to yourself or others.

In this week's podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Gretchen and her sister share favorite quotes, one of which is this line from the character Clarissa in Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway: "What a lark! What a plunge!"

Today, see your life, not as a burden, a solemn duty, or a task for which you are not fully prepared, but instead as a lark and a plunge. Dictionary.com defines lark as "a merry, carefree adventure; frolic; escapade." A plunge is "a leap or a dive," "a headlong or impetuous rush or dash." Today, take your life less seriously. See your undertakings as playful adventures. Approach them with curiosity, a willingness to learn, and an appreciation of fun. ​Dive in, with less fear, less devotion to a particular outcome, and more of a sense of experimentation and discovery.

The book of Deuteronomy says: The Lord, He goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear, nor be dismayed.

Today, feel Love going before you. Feel Love before you as you drive on complicated roadways, leading your way and keeping your safe. Feel Love going before you into spaces that make you uncomfortable or nervous; a demanding meeting, a home with conflict, a place with painful memories. Love is present and active, filling the space, embracing all, before you walk in. You might even pause before you open a door and let Love walk in first.

Today, let Love attend to and embrace your body - particularly any place where you feel discomfort. Consciously let go of any blame or criticism of your body for not functioning or appearing as you think it should. Instead, embrace your body in unconditional love and forgiveness, as you would your most beloved friend. Divine Love gives you the power and ability to do this.